I think you're thinking of the Ivory-billed woodpecker.

Love a good red head wood pecker......

yep us to, they ate the decoy and then did 5,000 worth of damage to the house. they are protect so you are not suppose to do anything about them according to Wy game and fish

I almost married one

Nice picture!

As large as that bird is, I believe it's name is actually "Lesser Pileated Woodpecker". The story had been that the "Greater" Pileated Woodpecker had been extinct for almost 100 years. (it had a wingspan over 3 feet, I believe.) In the last decade or so, it was discovered that the Greater species has actually survived in a very remote area that hasn't been disclosed to the public for fear that observers might disturb them. THAT would be a huge woodpecker!

We used to have a lot of the Lesser Pileated Woodpeckers in the dense hardwood forests of South Central Missouri. Very distinct call. Neat birds.

Had a couple of ivory bills out here last year. They taste like chicken !

thought someone in Arkansas had claimed to found a survivor.

Any links to information on the Greater Pileated? I did a few searches and can't find anything.

Not aware of a "Lesser or Greater Pileated" but I went on a scientific photo expedition for the Ivory-billed Woodpecker. The Pileated has a 26-29 inch wingspan. The Ivory-billed had a 29-31 inch wingspan. They require(d) vasts forests and tall, standing dead timber to survive. If you have forested land, if you can safely avoid it, don't be in a hurry to fell tall trees as soon as they die. Lots of species depend on standing dead timber...

or a cabin

Not the best pic, but from over 100 yards.

We only have peckerwoods around here.

After living here about 25 years one summer a few years ago them SOBs suddenly decided to drill holes in the garage walls. So d*mn many holes I re-sheathed with steel siding instead of patching. Repeatedly hammered on the house, too, but aluminum siding probably only gave them headaches. Far as I know they never tried the barns or outbuildings, they're all galvanized sheets. Still, I like watching them when they're at the feeders.